Celebrating a ‘landmark anniversary’ - Patricia Mills

When the Northern Ontario Business Awards, or NOBA as it’s commonly known, was launched in Thunder Bay 25 years ago with the help of David Peterson, then premier of Ontario, there was much speculation about its longevity.

The general consensus was that an event to honour northern businesses was a great idea, but the pool of quality winners would soon dry up and a slate of new businesses would be hard to source.

Well, what can we say?

NOBA has presented 210 companies and individuals with an award since that first event, and the quality and quantity of nominations has grown, along with attendance to the awards gala, held annually every fall.

NOBA survived the predicted fate of imminent demise because one attribute of the northern entrepreneur was overlooked with that earlier generalization - business people, by and large, love the north. It’s more than just the lakes, the fishing, the freshness of a winter’s day, the warmth of the northern sun. It’s conquering the challenge to eke out a living doing what you love in a place you love, despite the obstacles of logistics, population, government red tape and the like.

Entrepreneurs kept on creating businesses despite all the odds. NOBA survived because businesses survived.

Along the way, we have partnered with and entertained an eclectic group of winners, sponsors, delegates and supporters who keep us inspired and motivated to continue to bring this event to northern Ontario.

It is a night of black ties, red wine, cold beer and a good steak. It is a night to meet up with old friends, make some new ones, learn a thing or two about the struggles of businesses in other northern communities, and leave at the end of the evening a little more invigorated by having celebrated the success of the winners and the longevity of the NOBA alumni.

We are eagerly seeking nominations for this year’s nine award categories and the Union Gas Essay Scholarship award. More information can be found online at www.noba.ca or by contacting Kimberley Wahamaa, operations manager at 705-673-5705 ext. 320.

You may run into us in the next few months as we travel the north, looking for the right video clip or to update a memorable story about a northern business success. You may also run into us at the 25th anniversary gala, Sept. 27 at the Caruso Club in Greater Sudbury. We expect a large turnout for this landmark anniversary, so be sure to book your seat early enough.

We can hardly wait to bring it all together and to see you again.

Patricia Mills is the publisher of Northern Ontario Business, Northern Life’s sister publication. This column was originally published in the April edition of Northern Ontario Business.